Conservation Commission Minutes 01/19/2016

TOWN OF OTIS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
1/19/2016 MEETING MINUTES
Location: Otis Town Hall, One North Main Road, Otis

 

Conservation Commission Members present: David Sarnacki, Roger Meyer and Jeff Laramy

Conservation Commission Members absent: Bruce Wall and Dominic Battista

Staff and others present: Kristen Brown Secretary; Jamie Stanton; Jon Goddard (R. Levesque); Bob Mason (DCR); Ben Ives; Stephen Miller; John & Kim Tonlino; Dennis Stempel.

 

Opening items/Introduction of Commission members and staff. Dave Sarnacki opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. He noted that the meeting is being recorded. The deadline for applications for the February 15th meeting is February 2, 2015 @ 3:00 PM. The next office hours, for the February meeting, is February 2nd from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Dave introduced the members of the commission. Dave asked everyone to turn off/down their cell phones for the duration of the meeting.

Minutes: The minutes from our December meeting were approved pending changes to wording.

 

Public Hearing – RDA – Submitted by Jaymie Stanton with Solar Five, on behalf of Andrew Pyenson, 1570 North Main Road map 2 lot 74, regarding the installation of residential solar arrays in the vicinity of 3 separate swales. Dave opened the hearing and invited applicant representatives (Stephen Miller/Ben Ives) to address the commission. Dave asked to review the site plans and maps as submit to the commission; applicant addressed each stage and work area and described the work in detail. Dave asked if there were any questions arising from the site visit – done by RM, DB & JL on 1/15/16 – per Roger, they want to know how deep the trench would be closest to the road (RTE 8), and would it be near the culvert that runs through the same area. Per applicant, the trench would be less than 2’ deep and would not be near the culvert pipe – they would stay on the property side of the culvert and EC will be installed prior to work start – as indicated on the submitted plans – received and dated to file with signatures added today 1/19/16. Per RM, other than the one trench near the road/culvert (discussed above) there were no other areas of concern, as applicant clearly has EC set up to avoid run-off to any wet areas; listed GIS wetlands are well over 250’ away from proposed work area(s). Per Dave, asked if any other comments or needs for discussion from the commission, applicant(s) or the public – none came forth. Dave made a motion for a -3 determination with the following conditions: EC must be installed prior to work start; contact OCC to inspect EC prior to work start; all equipment serviced/stored away from any wet areas – especially during rains; remove or cover any debris daily and away from wet areas; OCC reserves the right to inspect the property/work site for 3 years from date of approval. RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously for a -3 determination with the above conditions.
Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by Paula Geddis with R. Levesque, on behalf of Dennis & Anne Marie Stempel, 41 N. Lake Ave., map 18A lot 38, regarding the expansion of existing deck, installation of a removable shed & dock and removal of identified trees. Dave opened the hearing and invited Jon Goddard with R. Levesque (applicant representative) to address the commission. Jon presented the commission with the originally filed work plans and site maps to review the project. Dave asked if there were any questions or concerns stemming from the site visit; per Roger, he wanted to know if piers would be dug for the shed – no – no piers being used. Also wanted to know if tree stumps would be cut flush or dug out – per Jon, stumps will need to come out where the deck is proposed to be built but they would cut flush with ground for all the others. Dave asked if there was a planting plan and there was not. Dave requested that applicant provide the commission with a planting plan where applicable (where stumps will be removed and cut flush). Dave asked if any other concerns – none indicated. Jon requested a continuance of the commission until the next hearing as they are still waiting to hear back from NH/ESP. Dave made a motion to continue the hearing until the February 15th meeting – at which time we would also want a planting plan; RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing until the February 15th meeting.
Public Hearing – NOI – Submitted by Paula Geddis with R. Levesque, on behalf of John & Kimberley Tonlino, 511 Pine Road, map 17B lot 70, regarding the installation of a dock, repair of existing stonewall and removal of identified trees. Dave opened this hearing and again invited Jon Goddard (with R. Levesque), the applicants’ representative to address the commission. John & Kim Tonlino (property owners) were also present with their representative. Jon presented the commission with an overview of the site map, as well as the work description and relation to the water. Dave asked the commission if there were any questions stemming from the site visit done on 1/15/16 (RM, DB, JL); Per Roger, are stumps going to be dug out or cut flush – per Jon, stumps would be cut flush with the ground; again, Dave requested a planting plan in place of trees being removed. They will get this submit to OCC before hearing close. Roger also wanted to know if existing stone seawall would be removed or built upon – per Jon, they are removing the existing seawall which is basically piled rocks. Dave asked about EC – Jon pointed out the EC outlined on the work site plans – EC OK per the commissioners. RM also asked about the piers for the dock and they are not using existing piers as dock will be in a different area. Dave asked if the commission had any further questions or comments – none came forth. Jon then asked the commission for a continuance until the February 15th meeting in order to receive approval back from NH/ESP which has not been received yet. Dave made a motion to continue this hearing until the February 15th meeting; RM 2nd the motion and the commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing until February 15th.

ENFORCEMENT ORDER(S):
Orders of Condition Ext:
FOREST CUTTING PLAN(S):

Prepared by Tom Brule on behalf of Commonwealth of MA, Div. of Fish & Wildlife – Merritt & Macy Road, Otis. The commission reviewed the submitted forest cutting plan and did not see any issues as presented. No need for further follow up at this time.

Emergency Certifications:
CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE:
OTHER BUSINESS:

Next office hours: Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from 6-9 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Next meeting: Monday, February 15, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Otis Town Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM.